Overwhelmed By The Pace

Every day I sit down and scour world events for signs of the soon return of Jesus Christ. Some days, I have to pick through dozens of articles and stories to find just one happening that has prophetic significance. Whether it be the growing apostasy in the Church, the rise of a one-world government, the solidification of the Ezekiel 38-39 Gog-Magog Muslim alliance, the reviving of the Roman Empire, the rapid decline of American power or the ongoing restoration of the nation of Israel — there is usually some event that like a gold nugget can be panned from the media stream.

But, not today. Today every rock I pick up is a gold nugget. Every story I begin reading screams about the soon return of Jesus Christ. As soon as I’m halfway through one article, another comes into my Inbox or RSS feed to interrupt and shout its report. The combined yelling of all these prophetic stories is a cacophony that has overwhelmed my ability to process all that is going on. I’m forced to cover my ears with my hands and close my eyes tightly shut.

Here are just a few examples of today’s headlines:

“For the media, it’s un-Holy Week”
(OneNewsNow.com, Colleen Raezler, Wednesday, April 8, 2009)
“Newsweek proclaimed ‘The Decline and Fall of Christian America’ on its cover. The Washington Post/Newsweek ‘On Faith’ blog featured a post that belittled the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Discovery Channel aired a documentary that painted Jesus as little more than an opportunistic politician who caught a bad break in a trial… Anti-Christianism is the last acceptable prejudice. The assault on Christian beliefs and morality is ongoing… But because Easter is so central to understanding Jesus and His purpose, and to Christians’ own understanding of the world, the secular attack escalates during Holy Week.”

“Obama Popularity Soaring Across Middle East”
(Newsmax.com, Wednesday, April 8, 2009)
“The Middle East is finding, to its amazement, that it may actually like America’s new leader… They want Washington to press for the creation of a Palestinian state to resolve the Israeli-Arab conflict — something Obama has promised to do… Obama’s visit to Turkey this week was full of gestures calculated at showing he is a friend to Muslims… Even an offhand comment that he had to wrap up the town-hall before the afternoon call to Islamic prayers showed an easy familiarity with the rhythms of Muslims’ lives… Even hard-liners took notice. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country welcomes talks with the United States if Obama proves ‘honest’ in extending the U.S. hand to Iran, one of his strongest signals yet of openness to Obama’s calls for dialogue.”

“Rick Warren disavows support for Prop. 8”
(OneNewsNow.com, Jim Brown, Wednesday, April 8, 2009)
“California mega-church pastor and author of The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren says he apologized to his homosexual friends for making comments in support of California’s Proposition 8, and now claims he ‘never once even gave an endorsement’ of the marriage amendment… Monday night on CNN’s Larry King Live, Pastor Rick Warren apologized for his support of Prop. 8, California’s voter-approved marriage protection amendment.”

“Obama’s G20 plan kisses off Declaration of Independence”
(WorldNetDaily.com, Jerome Corsi, Wednesday, April 8, 2009)
“At the G20 meeting in London… President Obama gave the blessing of the United States to the G20 decision to elevate the Financial Stability Forum into the Financial Stability Board. The United States has only one vote in the newly constituted Financial Stability Board, a group that will be largely controlled by European central bankers… The new global regulator now has the authority to examine all U.S. banks, brokerage firms and corporations… to examine operations and determine risk. The Financial Stability Board then has the international authority to set policies in these corporations… the Obama administration, by agreeing to create the Financial Stability Board, has gone beyond nationalizing U.S. corporations, to ‘internationalize’ U.S.-based corporations under the control of this new global regulator.”

“IDF planning largest-ever drill to prepare Israel for war”
(Haartz.com, Anshel Pfeffer, Tuesday, April 7, 2009)
“The Home Front Command is preparing to hold the largest exercise ever in Israeli history, scheduled to take place in about two months, in hopes of priming the populace and raising awareness of the possibility of war breaking out… The exercise is scheduled to last an entire week and test a series of scenarios that include missile strikes with conventional and non-conventional warheads, fired by Hezbollah, Syria or Hamas.”

“Italy earthquake death toll rises to 283”
(Yahoo! News, Monday, March 30, 2009)
“L’AQUILA, Italy… The death toll from Italy’s worst quake in three decades reached 283, including 20 children and teens… Strong aftershocks overnight rattled residents — nearly 18,000 of whom are living in tent camps around the stricken region.”

“The G20 moves the world a step closer to a global currency”
(Telegraph.co.uk, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, Tuesday, April 7, 2009)
“A single clause in Point 19 of the communiquè issued by the G20 leaders amounts to revolution in the global financial order… In effect, the G20 leaders have activated the IMF’s power to create money and begin global ‘quantitative easing’. In doing so, they are putting a de facto world currency into play. It is outside the control of any sovereign body.”

And the headlines go on, and on, and on, and…

From a great falling away from the faith (2 Tim. 4:3), to the siding of the United States with Islam against Israel and God (Rev. 19:19), to a consuming apostasy in the Church (Rev. 3:14-22), to Israel’s fight for its very survival (Ps. 83; Ezek. 38-39), to prolific natural disasters (Matt. 24:6), to the ongoing formation of a one-world government whose leader someday will be called “The Antichrist” (Rev. 13:7) — Bible prophecy is being fulfilled at a fast and furious pace. It is all simply overwhelming.

And yet, the ever-increasing pace of end-time events is itself a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. During one of Jesus’ most detailed descriptions of what the world would experience before His imminent return, Jesus stated in Matthew 24:8 that “All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Birth pains increase in frequency and intensity the closer to the actual birth. So, too, with Jesus’ Second Coming, as the end-time events increase in frequency and intensity until He returns.

At the overwhelming pace of end-time events these days, the “birth” is about to occur.

Laura, also looking at Romans 8:18-23 talking about the restoration of Creation, I believe the Scriptures are saying the birth is Jesus’ Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation, where upon shortly after Jesus’ victory He revitalizes the planet for the Millennial Kingdom (Isaiah 11:6-9; 35:1-10; 65:17-25; Acts 3:19-21).

Nathan, Thanks for bringing this forward! Great article and so true! I have also tried to put things in perspective for myself from a time/significance perspective. Here is what I come up with (IMHO)…

I ask if you have time, to help clarify these for me where necessary.

“For the media, it’s un-Holy Week”Timeframe: Happening NowSignificance: The great falling away exposed (apostasy). However, this is the Liberal media whom is by nature anti-God.

“Obama Popularity Soaring Across Middle East”Timeframe: Happening NowSignificance: The ease of which a world wide leader will be accepted on the scene, some say Pres. Obama could be a pre-cursor to the AntiChrist (under heavy debate)

“100,000 secular Britons seek ‘de-baptism'”Timeframe: Happening NowSignificance: Underlies the importance of individuals needing to make a decision for Christ on their own. Some religions practice basptising children as babies (thereby attempting to make the individuals decision for Christ for them). Also shows how openly atheistic so many are.

“Rick Warren disavows support for Prop. 8”Timeframe: CompletedSignificance: This simply shows that there are many ‘High Profile’ Christian leaders masquerading as sheep but wearing ‘goat’ clothing. This is universalism.

“Obama’s G20 plan kisses off Declaration of Independence”Timeframe: Happening NowSignificance: We are now 1 step closer to the USA becoming a charter member of a global government, global currency and global religion. This could take months if not short years to solidify. However, I do not believe this is a prerequisite for the Rapture of the Church.

“IDF planning largest-ever drill to prepare Israel for war”Timeframe: Within 60 daysSignificance: Potentially the new Israeli Administration knows that it cannot wait for support from the USA regarding Iran and therefore must prepare to go it alone (against Iran) or suffer the possibility of near extinction.

“Italy earthquake death toll rises to 283”Timeframe: In Progress/CompleteSignificance: Violent storms are becoming more frequent as predicted in the Bible.

“The G20 moves the world a step closer to a global currency”Timeframe: Happening NowSignificance: Preparation for the incoming regime of the Antichrist who will force all people into his form of system, by requiring all to accept allegiance to him and “The Mark” on the right-hand or forehead, that whosoever rejects this mark will not be able to legally buy or sell.

I agree with everything cited by Nathan as being the pentultimate outcome of the “birth pangs” spoken of by our Lord and Savior. It is the birth of His Kingdom on earth and the revitalization of His Creation.

And not just this earth mind us all, but of ALL things in His Creation. Recall that during the Olivet Discourse the Lord said that the “stars will fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.” All this will be revitalized, made anew.

Recall also that Rev. 21:14 tells us this revitalization equates to a new heaven and a new earth – then shall the New Jerusalem descend to the earth, “for the old order of things has passed away.”

The items you listed are in the exact sequence which occur in a few short years prior to His arrival.

i also agree, it is the birth of a new earth age. (the millineun). also the other thing to consider (in my opinion) is whether there are 100 signs or just 1 that dont change the fact that jesus could come right now. are there any positive signs too? i wanna see some of those

From what I have read Obama is actually a 10th cousin of President Bush through his mother’s side. Both families are supposed to be related to the British Royal family. Again, this is what I have read, it could be completely wrong.

I have wondered the same thing about him being the John the Baptist for the AntiChrist. He would probably have to announce his coming, though, and Obama does not seem like someone who likes to share the spotlight. Look at the news today that HE is the “hero” for giving the order to attack the Somali terrorists..I mean pirates…

Because of the False Prophet’s duties to facilitate the one-world religion and eventual one-world worship of the Antichrist (Rev. 13:15), he will probably be a great religious leader already.

If I had to choose somebody today (and this is total conjecture), I’d choose either the next Pope or the Dali Lama. Because of the Roman origins, the Pope would hold more prophetic weight. I wouldn’t choose anyone claiming to be the Mahdi or Lord Maitraya because they’d more fill the Antichrist’s role. Heck, I’d even put Oprah near the top of the False Prophet list if she wasn’t a woman.

Shoot, I’d almost put Rick Warren on the F.P. list! I am not at all surprised about “America’s Pastor” reneging on his stance on prop. 8. Gotta fill those seats at Saddleback, y’know.

But, due to my studies recently, I’d say the next pope would fit the F.P. bill, as most New Age, “mystery” and works oriented religions can be associated with Rome from way back. The Babylonian religions eventually converted into the Holy Roman Empire and later, the Holy Roman Church.

i was told (incorrectly perhaps) that even catholics believed for hundreds of years that an apostate pope would defect and become the false prophet. does their tradition really teach that? i suspect no but i heard some catholics say it does.

I don’t know exactly how much stock to put into this, but there is an old prophecy from a man named Malachy, a medieval Irish priest, who wrote down, in some detail, something about every pope until the end of the Church.

Again, I don’t take this as canon, but it is very interesting at the least.

And, Nathan, I agree about not being able to catch up on prophetic world events. When I first started studying prophecy about 6 years ago, it was almost too easy. Now, I find I have to focus on just one or two things.

Why are so many surprised over Rick Warren? When he agreed to go to Obama’s inauguration I called his church and blasted him for it based on the fact he would be honoring a man who will be responsible for prolonging the murdering of millions more innocent unborn babies. So why be surprised a “pastor” who supports a baby killer would also support perversion?

Nathan we all yearn for that trumpet!People (need to understand that the Bible is clear about the Pre-tribulation scenario! That does not mean that we are not feeling the pangs. How much more Lord? Do we really want to know? Easter Sunday (Jerusalem time)would of been fine with me! The world 10years from now would scare the skin off of Adolf H. if the Lord tarries! O b a m a is not the anti C. but T. Blair I can only speculate and do not plan on being around when the world knows of this leader, and that’s Biblical.

Nathan – A couple of years ago when Perry Stone visited High Point Church in Arlington he said he felt that the tsunami that occured in the South Pacific mirrored a woman’s water breaking in the birth of a child. With the things that are going on today I think that he was right. I expect the persecution of Christians to increase but we should not be afraid. God fed Israel in the exodus and He can feed Christians and Jews when we can no longer buy food. He will provide.

Yes I believe we could be like The Planet of the Apes in ten years minus the apes. Especially if the rapture takes place. It could be then called The Planet of the Terrorist or The Planet of the Antichrist.

It also looks like Rick Warren could be one of those people he mentioned in his national prayer to be “standing before God on Judgement Day and being held accountable.”

When my husband and I saw this article we were both encouraged as we had just been talking about how quickly things are happening earlier in the week. Even six months ago we were thinking that some events would take years to come to pass, but here we are – on the express train!

We are just so thankful that the Lord hasn’t left us to wonder what’s going on in the world and what He’s going to do about it.

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Lamb & Lion Ministries was established for the purpose of proclaiming the soon return of Jesus. We do not believe it is possible to know the date when Jesus will return. But we do believe it is possible to know the season of the Lord's return, and it is our conviction that we are living in that season...